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Im planning my 4-6 week Florida coastal trip now, and would greatly appreciate very interesting things to do or places to see along the way., as im pretty new to Florida. Ill be starting at Pensacola then heading down the Gulf Coast all the way to Key West...then up the Atlantic coast to as far as St. Augustine, Fl. I could venture inland a bit if theres a good reason to check something out . Have you any tips, recommendations on things to do , see, explore, etc... ? Are Marco Island and Sanibel Island must-do things in you opinion ? Ive been told to do alot of snorkeling at the Keys which ive never done before. Thanks.

If you haven't snorkeled before be sure to do it with someone nearby. There have been accidents where people inhale water by accident and drown. It's easy to do if you aren't experienced.

The Keys are beautiful, just take care. John Pennecamp State Park in Key Largo (upper Keys) is fantastic for snorkelling plus Bahia Honda Park north of Key West.

We have visited many of the Florida State parks and highly recommend Homosassa Springs State Park about an hour north of Tampa on the west coast. Well worth the trip to spend 2 to 4 hours there. Manatees closer than you'll see anywhere else even in the summer, plus a hippo, alligators (of course), otters, foxes and birds everywhere.

If you haven't snorkeled before be sure to do it with someone nearby. There have been accidents where people inhale water by accident and drown. It's easy to do if you aren't experienced.

The Keys are beautiful, just take care. John Pennecamp State Park in Key Largo (upper Keys) is fantastic for snorkelling plus Bahia Honda Park north of Key West.

We have visited many of the Florida State parks and highly recommend Homosassa Springs State Park about an hour north of Tampa on the west coast. Well worth the trip to spend 2 to 4 hours there. Manatees closer than you'll see anywhere else even in the summer, plus a hippo, alligators (of course), otters, foxes and birds everywhere.

Have fun.

Thanks for the info. Wow...would have never guessed one could drown from snorkeling ; ill practice at a local river first before i go on my trip. Will do Homosassa also. Thanks. Any excellent Seafood Buffet restaurants you can recommend on the Keys ?

If you haven't snorkeled before be sure to do it with someone nearby. There have been accidents where people inhale water by accident and drown. It's easy to do if you aren't experienced.

The Keys are beautiful, just take care. John Pennecamp State Park in Key Largo (upper Keys) is fantastic for snorkelling plus Bahia Honda Park north of Key West.

We have visited many of the Florida State parks and highly recommend Homosassa Springs State Park about an hour north of Tampa on the west coast. Well worth the trip to spend 2 to 4 hours there. Manatees closer than you'll see anywhere else even in the summer, plus a hippo, alligators (of course), otters, foxes and birds everywhere.

Sanibel is a must, great place, lots of bike paths if you have one or you can rent them there, I like it better than the keys, just much less crowded and commercial. My favorite beach in the state is Destin, you go to the beach on a nice clear day in the summer and you would swear you were in the Bahamas with how blue the water is. In the Atlantic side there is a great campground on the Beachside up around Flagler Beach, not far drive up to St. Augustine after that, eat lunch (best cuban sandwich and spanish bean soup!)at the Columbia Restaurant in old St. Augustine and eat dinner at a place on the intercoastal on the beach side, I think it is called the Saltwater Cowboy, excellent seafood and neat place to eat too.

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